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Is the US men's soccer team underrated?

Updated on August 11, 2017 at 12:03 PMPosted on August 11, 2017 at 12:00 PM

Kellyn Acosta, Dom Dwyer USMNT

In this July 1, 2017, photo, United States' Kellyn Acosta celebrates his goal against Ghana as teammate Dom Dwyer, left, smiles behind him during an international friendly soccer match at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

FIFA released its updated world rankings, ranking the United States as the 26th best team in the world. After winning the Gold Cup in late July, the U.S. Men's National Team jumped up nine spots, but the team is still better than its current ranking. However, the United States still struggles at times, and can't find the kind of top-flight talent who strikes fear in the hearts of more established international teams. Do you think U.S. men's soccer gets enough respect?

PERSPECTIVES

The days of the U.S. Men's National Team being a laughing stock are over. Even though the team jumped up nine spots, it is a slap in the face to say they are only the 26th best team in the world right now. The team actually has results to back up their rightful place in international soccer.

The U.S. has reached at least the Round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups. The team has defeated some of the top teams in the world, and yet the United States still gets no respect from FIFA.

In the past, it would be difficult to find a United States player on a top-tier European team roster. However, the U.S. has churned out talented players like Christian Pulisic, Geoff Cameron, and John Brooks, who are all playing in top international leagues across the Atlantic Ocean. The United States has quality players, and yet still can't get a decent ranking.

The international community has always undervalued American players, and the U.S. national team's rank is a perfect example.

No one is denying the United States hasn't vastly improved its standing within international soccer. However, rankings are earned through play. The team won the Gold Cup, but the roster didn't dominate like it should have against Costa Rica or any of the lesser teams the U.S. has faced.

Before the Gold Cup, the national team was blasted 4-0 against Costa Rica. Because of the men's team struggles earlier in the qualifying calendar, the United States jumping nine spots to 26th in the world is right where it deserves to be.

Aside from results, the United States hasn't really developed a player who can truly dominate opponents. Christian Pulisic is developing into a star, but who else is on the team who can really scare opponents? Tim Howard is getting older, and Clint Dempsey is declining.

The United States has a good mix of young and old athletes, but star players in their prime are hard to find on the roster. The U.S. Men's National Team has a lot of question marks, and being 26th in the world is good enough right now.

Nope. Relevant would be getting consistent respect from best NTs in the world - illiciting fear in those teams. They're not scared of USMNT.

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